Sydney’s North Shore venues I LOVE as a luxury vendor - but which one’s for you?
Planning an event can be an overwhelming shemozzle of organisation, emailing for quotes, Pinterest boarding, etc etc
But before all that, the completely necessary Step One is picking your venue (so that you have a date too).
Sydney’s North Shore holds some of the city’s most sought-after wedding venues (my side of the bridge, so yes a bit bias) - harbour views, natural beauty, and calm (not too far) from the CBD.
Below, I’m sharing five venues I’ve been privileged enough to have illustrated at, each with a distinct atmosphere, plus pros and cons - hopefully it helps you decide which one’s best for you and your vision.
N’galawa Terrace (Taronga Zoo)
N’Galawa Terrace wedding I illustrated at last year. Approx 80 guests.
Firstly - omg the views. (This is also true of Taronga Centre’s other room, the Gili Rooftop which I’ll talk about next).
Perched high above Sydney Harbour within Taronga Zoo, N’galawa Terrace has floor-to-ceiling glass (no view interruption!!) and a wrap-around terrace. Well suited to medium and larger weddings, N’galawa Terrace allows couples to host their ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception in one cohesive setting. Having said that, many of the weddings I work at have their ceremonies at Gili Rooftop, then shift guests over to N’Galawa Terrace for reception.
For events with a ‘wow’ view without sacrificing comfort or flow, N’galawa Terrace is worth a look.
Best for: Medium to large weddings (capacity: 150 seated, 200 cocktail) with a harbour-facing backdrop.
Pros
Panoramic views across Sydney Harbour
The floor to ceiling glass is seriously gorgeous - especially if the reception runs through sunset.
Suitable for ceremonies, cocktail hour, and reception in one location
Professional coordination. Staff here are fab!
Cons
Huge space, so not great for intimate weddings (but set up below of an 80 guest event)
Premium pricing (understandable when you see the view)
High demand means it gets booked out quickkkk
Gili Rooftop (Taronga Zoo)
If you love N’galawa Terrace at Taronga Centre but have smaller numbers/prefer a more intimate celebration - Gili Rooftop is the perrrrfect solution! It has a gorgeous rooftop with the same breathtaking views as N’Galawa Terrace next door. This space feels exclusive and relaxed, with retractable glass doors for an open-air atmosphere (as long as the weather gods are kind). Gili Rooftop is popular for sunset ceremonies and cocktail-style receptions where guests are happy to chill and chat at the bar tables dotted around. This is a ceremony held on Gili Rooftop by my friend Fiona (nice, right?!). Here’s another video of it.
Best for: Intimate weddings and cocktail-style celebrations (capacity: 60 seated, 80 cocktail). Or as a ceremony location, then moving to N’Galawa Terrace for reception as mentioned above.
Pros
Rooftop setting with uninterrupted harbour and skyline views.
Intimate scale that feels exclusive and personal
Retractable glass doors (weather flexibility, allllways consider weather flexibility)
View does heavy lifting, so styling can be minimal
Cons
Unsuitable for larger weddings
Less suited to formal seated receptions
Again, peak dates book quickly cause of the view.
Athol Hall
When I work at Athol Hall, I’m always set up on the balcony outside reception. This is the view from there!
Set directly on the harbour near Athol Beach, Athol Hall is a waterfront (have you realised yet this is a huge north shore drawcard??) wedding venue known for its calm, unhurried vibe. The venue’s proximity to the water, abundance of natural light, and relaxed layout curate weddings that feel more like beautiful gatherings than formal productions.
Athol Hall is especially well suited to a ‘long-lunch’ vibe and daytime celebration (all the weddings I’ve been here have been around the 12-3pm timeframe). Perfect for couples who want their wedding to feel like a gathering - unhurried, all about the conversations and connections.
Best for: Couples wanting a chilled, waterfront wedding with a relaxed vibe. Capacity 130 seated (but every time I’ve been there, the guest numbers are between 60-90 and it looks like a good number in the hall!)
Pros
Direct harbour-front location near Athol Beach
Ideal for long lunch vibe and daytime celebrations.
Naturally beautiful setting, styling can be minimal
Encourages guest mingling, not a pretentious place despite views.
Cons
If it’s hot, the reception room is HOT as there’s no aircon (I think they have fans). Something to consider if you’re going to book a Summer date. And there’s no shade where ceremonies are normally held, so plan parasols etc if it’s going to be super sunny.
Transport logistics should be considered - free parking is limited.
There’s a big grassy hill walking from where the ceremony is to reception, that I’ve slipped on with non-grip shoes, consider accessibility for those who need it!
Nestled within the greeeeeen bushland of Middle Head, Burnt Orange is a wedding venue with honest heritage vibes, and (a seriously) understated elegance. Overlooking Sydney Harbour (they all are, if you haven’t already figured it out haha), the venue blends a historic building with the greenery, and your photos will all feel timeless. They have two very distinct spaces - the intimate Signals Room downstairs and the open-air Balcony - you can hire both, or have smaller gatherings downstairs.
Best for: Couples drawn to nature, heritage, and understated elegance.
Pros
Bushland and harbour views create a natural backdrop
Two distinct spaces: The Signals Room and The Balcony. At weddings I’ve worked at, cocktail hour begins downstairs and then guests move upstairs for reception and dinner.
Strong focus on seasonal menus and service (staff have always been super lovely here).
Cons
Smaller capacity than large reception venues (though this could be a pro, depending on what you’re after)
Being open air, mozzies etc. may be a consideration.
Very dark at night, make sure your older guests are confident with the sandstone stairs when leaving.
Gunners Barracks
Overlooking Sydney Harbour (aren’t they all haha), Gunners Barracks is one of the city’s most sought-after heritage wedding venues. It’s known for sandstone architecture (similar to Burnt Orange), elevated views, and a refined vibe. The venue offers ceremony and reception spaces within one connected location.
Best for: Timeless, heritage weddings with ceremony and reception in one place
Pros
Sandstone architecture and elevated harbour views
Ceremony and reception hosted on-site
Photographs beautifully across seasons and years
Cons
Premium pricing (heritage status and all)
Capacity limits for very large guest lists
Accessibility planning
Last, but definitely not least (cause it’s one of my most frequented and favourite spots) Sergeants Mess is in Chowder Bay and one of the north shore’s most sought-after waterfront wedding venues. Directly on Sydney Harbour and framed by bushland, the venue is easily accessible with heaps of parking (I believe they have shuttles too).
Clean, modern interiors and floor-to-ceiling windows (ready for you to decorate as you like), Sergeants Mess is refined, and adapts really well to a range of wedding styles - coastal romance, classic elegance, avant garde. Designed to host your ceremony outside, cocktail hour in the bar area, and reception in one flowing location, it really does have a seamless guest experience.
Pros
Prime waterfront with uninterrupted Sydney Harbour views
Ceremony, cocktails, and reception hosted in one cohesive space
Modern interior
Option for arrival by road or private water taxi(!!)
Excellent staff (you’ll probably be looked after by Abby, and she’s loovely)
Cons
Premium pricing reflective of location and experience (
High demand for peak dates (I’ve been booked 2 years in advance in some cases)
Outdoor elements mean weather planning is essential (they have wet-weather options available)
Choosing the Right Venue for Your Wedding: Final Thoughts
I know you’ve got a million things to consider for your big day. My top tips for narrowing your venue shortlist are to consider:
Your realistic guest count - some of these venues are definitely more suited to smaller numbers.
Whether you prefer cocktail-style (Burnt Orange/Gili Rooftop) or formal dining (Sergeants Mess/N’Galawa Terrace)
How important ceremony-to-reception flow is - some couples like to keep it all in one spot for accessibility, but a water taxi sounds pretty cool from across the harbour?!
The atmosphere you want guests to feel. The views are all comparable (harbour, hello 🤩), but the building vibes definitely differ.
Having illustrated 3 years worth of weddings in my career, venues that offer natural light, thoughtful flow, and relaxed pacing consistently create the most enjoyable guest experiences and the memorable moments.
The best wedding venues don’t just look pretty, they support the way your day unfolds. Whether you’re drawn to harbour views, heritage charm, or intimate rooftop celebrations, Sydney’s North Shore has some really solid options
BUT!! At the end of the day, I wanna say that whichever venue you choose, the most important thing to remember is that the day goes by so fast so enjoy the day and soak it all in!
x Bel